Wood treating apparatus



June 26, 1956 5. J. HOLTZMAN WOOD TREATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 24, 1953 ldi/ /INVE1 TOR.

fi/wel 5 June 26, 1956 5. J. HOLTZMAN 2,751,879

WOOD TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 24, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5'9 6i f1 16 1o 5:9 I j 4 IN VEN TOR.

WOOD TREATING APPARATUS Samuel J. Holtzman, Baltimore, Md.

Application June 24, 1953, Serial No. 363,888

4 Claims. (Cl. 118-301) My invention relates to an apparatus for treating wood.

Certain types of luggage and receptacles are formed with a Wood frame which is usually formed from a single relatively thin board, for example, plywood which has been bent into a desired shape. It is known that bending of the wood board may be facilitated by saturating the fibres with water along the areas where bending is to occur. Heretofore, the apparatus and methods used for saturating 'wood boards prior to bending have been unsatisfactory for a number of reasons chief among which was that they did not lend themselves to modern highspeed production practices.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an apparatus for saturating wood boards and the like in predetermined areas so as to facilitate bending thereof into desired shapes.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the foregoing character which is capable of a high rate of production.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the foregoing character in which the board saturating means may be adjustably spaced for varying the spacing of the areas to be saturated so that the same apparatus may be employed in processing boards in a relatively wide range of sizes.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of the foregoing type which is simple in construction, efiicient in operation and durable in service. v Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end perspective view looking in the direction of the arrows 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of boards showing the same after having been processed by my apparatus and with certain areas thereof saturated preparatory to bending.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral .10 indicates, generally, a frame structure formed of structural forms including two spaced parallel longitudinal angle members '11 and 12 providing 'a bed for supporting the apparatus hereinafter to be described. The frame includes end frame sections 13 and 14 supporting an overhead longitudinal channel member 16. A platform 17 is suitably supported on frame section 14 and has mounted thereon an electric motor 18 and speed reducer 19. A driving roller 21 extending substantially the length of the frame structure hasone end journaled in the end frame portion 14 and'the other end journaled in a bracket 22 supported United States Patent O ice on the longitudinal member 11 and is operatively connected to the speed reducer 19. The frame members 11 and 12 carry track rails 23 and 24, respectively, said rails being shaped in cross section substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3. An angle member 26 is welded to member 12 and is provided with a series of holes for a purpose as will be hereinafter explained.

A plurality of spray stations identified generally by the letters A, B, C and D identically constructed and supported as will be hereinafter explained, and are arranged to be movable longitudinally of the frame so that the spacing between the several stations may be varied as desired. The said stations are identical in construction and each comprises upper and lower spray sections 25a and 25b respectively. Each of the lower spray sections 25b includes a base indicated generally by 27 formed of two sheet metal plates 28 shaped substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3 and welded to a top plate member 29 carrying a pair of rails 30. Each of the bases is arranged to bridge an open tank 31 supported Within the frame structure and is provided with a pair of spaced shoes 32 and 33 arranged to slide on the longitudinal rails 23 and 24 respectively. The forward portions of the plates 28 overhang the longitudinal angle member 26 of the frame member and are connected by a plate member 28a welded thereto, the said plate member having an aperture therein to receive a bolt 71 passing through one of the registering apertures in the angle member 26 for effecting a locking of the base 27 to the frame. A plate member 72 having a portion extending above to the plane of the top plate 29 in the manner of a flange is welded to the plates 28 and plate member 29. Supported on rails 30 for movement longitudinally thereof is a pillow block support 30a provided on the underside with grooves complementary to the rails 30. A stud 40 depends from support 30a and passes through a slot in plate 29, the said stud cooperating with a nut to lock the support in a position of adjustment. Bolted to the support 33 are a pair of pillow blocks 34 in which is journaled a shaft 36 on one end of which is mounted a pulley 37. Secured to the forward end of the support 33 is a tension bolt 38 which projects through an opening in the plate 32. A nut 39 abutting said flange and cooperating with said bolt serves as a means by which the pillow blocks 34 may be moved so as to efiect tightening of the belt 41 which cooperates with the pulley 37 and driving roller 21 as will be observed the belt is inclined upwardly. An angle member 42 is bolted to the plate 28 and serves as aplatform for supporting the wooden boards as they are fed into apparatus in a manner which will be hereinafter described. Supported on the base 27 is a hood 43 open at the top and bottom, the top portion of the hood having its edges inclined to coincide substantially with the inclination of the belt 41 as illustrated more clearly in Fig. 3. The hood 43 is provided at the bottom with circular opening through which extends, in an upward direction, a spray nozzle 44, the said nozzle being provided with an annular flange 46 having'a series of perforations arranged to register with corresponding perforations in the marginal edge of the opening of the hood the said perforations receive screws which serve to securely attach the nozzle as illustrated in Fig. 4. A drain pipe 47 is provided so that the spent liquid may drain back into the tank 31. The noggle 44 is connected by means of a flexible conduit 48 to a suitable header communicating with a water supply line connected to a pump whereby water is delivered to the nozzle under pressure.

The upper spray sections 25:: are each supported on the overhead channel member 16 by a bracket 51 shaped substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3 and depending from each of brackets is a hood 52 which similarly as hood 43 is provided with a circular opening through which projects 3 a in a downwardly direction a spray nozzle 53 similarly provided with a flange 54 for effecting securement of the nozzle to the hood in the manner previously described. The web 56 of thebracket 51 is provided with an aperture arranged to register with one of the several threaded apertures provided in the channel 16 to receive a screw 57 for effecting securement of the bracket to the channel .16.

The nozzle 53 is connected by means of'a flexible con- I duit 58 to a header 59 communicating with a water supply line 61 connected to a pump for delivering water. to the nozzles under pressure. The lower edges of the hood 52 are inclined substantially in parallel relation to the inclination of the belt 41 and, as will be apparent by reference to Fig. 4 the hoods 43 and 52 are intended to be arranged in vertical alinement so that the nozzles 44 and 53 are substantially in coaxial disposition.

' The spray stations A, B, 'C and D may be moved longitudinally of the frame to desired spaced positions and secured in such positions for operating on board sections of various lengths. The openings in the channel 16 and in the frame member 26 are in vertical alinement so that when the upper and lower spray sections 25a and 25b are moved to positions of adjustment and secured in such positions they will be maintained inthe vertical alinement illustrated in Fig. 4.

A guide member 63 extends longitudinally adjacent the driving roller 21 and is supported'on a plurality of brackets 64 which are bolted to the frame to provide a cradle for receiving in stacked relation the boards 65 discharged from the apparatus after processing.

The operation of my apparatus should be apparent from the foregoing description but briefly stated it is as follows:

The upper and lower spray sections of the spray stations A, B, C and D are first adjusted longitudinally of the frame for desired spacing and are thereafter secured in position in the manner hereinbefore described. The use of flexible conduits 48 and 58 permits movement of both the upper and lower spray sections 25a and 25b within a limited range and driving connection of the pulleys 37 with the driving roller 21 is maintained at all times. The boards 65 to be operated on are fed into the apparatus successively as illustrated in Fig. 3, the said boards'preferably being first supported on the angular members 42 and then pushed into engagement with the belts 41 which serve to convey the boards between the upper and lower spray sections 25a and 25b where they are acted upon by the water sprays emanating from" the upper and lower spray nozzles. The linear speed of the belts 41 is such that a sufficient interval of time of contact with the spray is provided for adequate saturation of the wood boards. Each board is carried on the belts 41 until it reaches the driving roller 21 and is then guided by the guide member 63 into the brackets 64 where the boards are automatically stacked. The spent water discharged'from the nozzles drains back into the tank 31 and is recirculated by pump means to the nozzles so'that the same water is'used repeatedly. It will be apparent that the operation of the apparatus is continuous and automatic and requires only'that an operator successively feed boards into the apparatus in, accordance with its speed of operation. It will be found as 'eachboard emerges from the apparatus that the portions subjected to the spray are adequately saturated while the remaining portions of the board remain dry and unaffected by the spray. 7

Various changes coming within the spirit of my'invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Hence I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A board wetting apparatus of the characterddescribed, comprising a frame including apair of'spaced longitudinal members and an overhead frame member arranged above said pair of members in substantially parallel relation thereto, afplurality of upper and lower spray sections each adjustable longitudinally of said frame for variable relative spacing, said lower spray sections each comprising supporting means adjustably supported on said longitudinal frame members, and an upwardly directed spray nozzle carried on said supporting means, said upper spray sections each comprising a bracket adjustably supported on said upper longitudinal frame member, and a downwardly directed spray nozzle carried on each of said brackets, an elongated driving roller extended longitudinally substantially the length of the frame, a pulley supported for rotation on each of said supporting means, and a plurality of conveyor belts cooperating with said driving roller and said pulleys for conveying boards to be wetted between corresponding upper and lower nozzles, said belts being adjustable longitudinally of said roller for 'alinement with respective supporting means;

2. A board wetting apparatus of the character described comprising a frame including a pair of spaced longitudinal members and an overhead frame member arranged above said pair of members in substantially parallel relation thereto, a plurality of upper and lower spray sections each adjustable longitudinally of said frame for variable relative spacing, said lower spray sections each comprising supporting means adjustably sup,- ported on said longitudinal frame members, and an upwardly directed spray nozzle carried on said supporting means, said upper spray sections each comprising a bracket adjustably supported on said upper longitudinal frame member, and a downwardly directed spray nozzle carried on each of said brackets, an elongated driving roller extended longitudinally substantially the length of the frame, a pulley supported for rotation on each of said supporting means, a plurality of conveyor belts co-operating with said driving roller and said pulleys, said belts being adjustable longitudinally of said roller for alinement with respective supporting means, means for conveying boards to be wetted between corresponding upper and lower nozzles, and means for" effecting tensioning of each of said belts.

3. A board wetting apparatus of the character described comprising a frame including a pair of spaced longitudinal members and an overhead frame member arranged above said pair of members in substantially parallel relation thereto, a plurality of'upper and lower spray sections each adjustable longitudinally of said frame for variable relative spacing, said lower spray sections each comprising supporting means adjustably supported on said longitudinal frame members, and an upwardly directed spray nozzle carried on said supporting means, said upper spray sections each comprising a bracket adjustably supported on said upper longitudinal frame member, and a downwardly directed'spray nozzle car ried on each of said brackets, and means for conveying boards to be wetted between corresponding upper and lower nozzles, said means including an elongated driving roller extending longitudinally substantially the length of the frame, a pulley supported for rotation on each of said supporting means, a plurality of conveyor belts cooperating with said driving roller. and said pulleys, said belts being adjustable longitudinallylof said rollef'for alinementwith respective supporting surfaces, a hood surrounding each of said nozzles to. confine the spray, said hoods being arranged substantially in vertical alinement, and a flexible conduit connecting each of said noz: zles with a supply of liquid. I

4. A boardwetting apparatus of the character described comprising a frame including a pair of spaced longitudinal membersand an overhead frame member arranged above said pair of members, an elongated driving roller extending longitudinally substantially the length of the frame, aplurality of 'upperand lower spray sections each adjustable longitudinally of said frame for variable relative spacing, said lower spray sections each comprising supporting means adjustably supported on said longitudinal frame members, a shaft journaled in said supporting means, a pulley carried on said shaft, a conveyor belt co-operating with said driving roller and said pulley, said belts being adjustable longitudinally of said roller for alinement with respective supporting means, an upwardly directed spray nozzle carried on said supporting means, and a hood surrounding said nozzle and supported on said supporting means, said upper spray sections each comprising a bracket adjustably supported on said upper longitudinal frame member, a downwardly directed spray nozzle carried on said bracket, a hood depending from said bracket and surrounding said nozzle, and means for effecting tensioning of each of said belts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wise Mar. 12, White Nov. 30, Lindsley Aug. 12, Ayres et a1. Oct. 26, Rosenberger Apr. 14, Koplin Aug. 25, Papazian Mar. 28, Frank July 2, Paasche May 14, Bishop et al May 12, 

1. A BOARD WETING APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISNG A FRAM INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS AND AN OVERHEAD FRAME MEMBER ARRANGED ABOVE SAID PAIR OF MEMBERS IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION THERETO, A PLURALITY OF UPPER AND LOWER SPRAY SECTIONS EACH ADJUSTABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FRAME FOR VARIABLE RELATIVE SPACING, SAID LOWER SPRAY SECTIONS EACH COMPRISING SUPPORTING MEANS ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBERS, AND AN UPWARDLY DIRECTED SPRAY NOZZLE CARRIED ON SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID UPPER SPRAY SECTIONS EACH COMPRISING A BRACKET ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID UPPER LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBER, AND A DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED SPRAY NOZZLE CARRIED ON EACH OF SAID BRACKETS, AN ELONGATED DRIVING ROLLER EXTENDED LONGITUDINALLY SUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH OF THE FRAME, A PULLEY SUPORTED FOR ROTATION ON EACH OF SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, AND A PLURALITY OF CONVEYOR BELTS COOPERATING WITH SAID DRIVING ROLLER AND SAID PULLEYS FOR CONVEYING BOARDS TO BE WETTED BETWEEN CORRESPONDING UPPER AND LOWER NOZZLES, SAID BELTS BEING ADJUSTABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID ROLLER FOR ALINEMENT WITH RESPECTIVE SUPPORTING MEANS. 